Blind cut down apparatus

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for trimming the width of blinds of the type having a headrail, and a bottom rail and blind slats, and having a support body with a headrail opening, and a bottom rail opening, and a blind slat opening the blind components being insertable into their openings from one side of the support body, a die located adjacent to the support body, a headrail cutting recess in the die, guides on the support body for the die, enabling the die to move relative to the headrail opening between two positions and a bottom rail and blind slat cutter operable to cut the bottom rail and the blind slats. A modified apparatus can be used to trim the width of a vertical blind having a headrail and control rods. Also disclosed is a method of trimming the width of blind, having a head rail, a bottom rail and blind slats.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an apparatus for cutting of the ends of a blindassembly. This is a Divisional Application of U.S. application Ser. No.09/935,489 filed Aug. 23, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,758,120 which is aContinuation-in-Part of application Ser. No. 09/414,767, filed Oct. 7,1999, now abandoned title: Two Handle Cut Down Apparatus, Inventor:Norbert Marocco, which was a Continuation-in-Part of application Ser.No. 09/132,748 filed Aug. 12, 1998, title: Improved End TrimmingApparatus for Blinds, Inventor: Norbert Marocco, now U.S. Pat. No.6,196,099 B1, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/132,750, filed Aug.12, 1998, title: Method of End Trimming of Blinds, Inventor: NorbertMarocco, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,178,857 B1 both of which wereContinuations-in-Part of application Ser. No. 08/627,015 filed Apr. 3,1996, title End Trimming Apparatus for Venetian Blinds, Inventor NorbertMarocco, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,806,394, which was in turn aContinuation-in-Part of application Ser. No. 08/526,329 filed Sep. 11,1995, title End Trimming Apparatus for Venetian Blinds, Inventor NorbertMarocco, abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Venetian blinds having a headrail and blind slats extending horizontallyacross a window space are well known. It is well understood that thewidth of the headrail and the blinds must be suited to more or lessmatch to the width of the window space.

For many years it has been the practice to manufacture venetian blindson a custom basis. Each blind would be made with the width of theheadrail, and the blade width corresponding to the width of a particularwindow for a particular customer.

This procedure is however relatively expensive. A salesperson isrequired to attend the customer's house, in most cases, and take aseries of measurements. An order is then placed at the factory, and someweeks later the finished blinds are delivered to the customer. Clearlyit would be desirable to manufacture a range of venetian blinds, whichcould be arranged to fit window spaces having a range of widths. Howevergiven the limitation of the design, this is simply not possible. Inorder to partly answer the problems of cost, and delay, of custom madevenetian blinds, it would be desirable to manufacture venetian blinds ina range of stock widths, and in a limited range of colours, and stockingthese blinds in retail outlets. A customer wishing to purchase a blindor blinds from such an outlet would simply come in with the measurementsof the windows of the customer's house. The customer would select thoseblinds which were as close to the measurements as possible, or onlyslightly wider.

The retail store would then trim the ends of the blind to the widthdesired by the customer. The system would mean that the blinds could bemanufactured in larger production runs, thus reducing the cost. It wouldalso mean that customers could purchase blinds and take them away fromthe store almost on a same day basis. There are however certain problemswith this procedure.

In particular the design of venetian blinds requires at least two and insome cases more, raise cords, and tilt cords. These cords are arrangedat equal distances from each side of the blind. Consequently, trimmingthe blind to width required trimming each side, by an amount equal toone half of the desired total trim amount, so as to ensure the blind hada satisfactory symmetrical appearance. However, the blind consists ofthree main different components namely, a headrail, usually of U-shapedmetal channel, a bottom rail and set of blind slats, the numberdepending on the height of the window opening.

In the vast majority of cases the blind slats were formed with a curvedcross-section, and the ends of the blind slats were usually cut with aslight bevel or radius, so as to avoid sharp corners at each end of eachblind slat.

End trimming operations could not be carried out by simple hand tools.Specialized dies were required for cutting each separate shape, i.e. forcutting the headrail and for cutting the bottom rail and for cutting theslat ends which were of arcuate cross-section with bevelled corners.

Specialized dies and tools have been provided for the purpose, but, itwas necessary for each retail store to be carefully trained so as tocarry out the three separate cutting operations in a way which produceda blind which was symmetrical down each side.

One minor improvement on the situation was that certain manufacturersprovided a cutting die for cutting both the headrail and the bottom railsimultaneously. In this system it was only necessary to provide aseparate cut for the blade ends.

Even in this system however, there were possibilities for mistakes, andthe operator required considerable skill. The cutting operation was alsotime consuming.

For all of these reasons, it is clearly desirable to provide an endcutting apparatus for cutting the sides of venetian blinds, in which allthree components namely, the headrail, the bottom rail and the blindslats are all cut in a single apparatus. In this way the time requiredin the retail store for the end cutting operation is reduced. Inaddition, the skill required is reduced since all three components arein a single plane.

One of the advantageous features in such an apparatus would be theinclusion of an end stop which provided a fixed location, which acted asa stop for all three blind components, once they had been inserted inthe appropriate cutting recesses, and in which the end stop would moveaway from the trimmed off portions of the blinds once the trimming orcutting operation had been completed.

Certain venetian blinds are available having blind slats, and a bottomrail made of material which is wider, in some cases two inches wide.While the headrail, and the blind slats in this type of blind are stillmade of metal, the bottom rail is frequently made of non-metallicmaterial. This is usually a solid, flat bar which may be for example beformed by extruding thermoplastic materials, or may even be made of woodin some cases, although this is not usual.

In certain types of blinds, it has become the practice to use blindslats of thicker material, than is used in conventional venetian blinds.In these blinds, the thicker blind slat material is formed of extrudedthermoplastic material having a thickness and profile which is intendedto simulate older style wooden slat blinds. In addition, these blindshave a bottom rail which is also of thicker material.

The cutting of these blind slats presents a somewhat different problem,in that, because they are thicker, it is necessary for the blind slatcutting blade means to travel through a longer cutting path.

In order to accommodate this, it has been found desirable to provide ablind cut down apparatus in which the blind slat cutting means isoperated separately from the headrail cutting means. In this way, it ispossible to provide a much longer cutting stroke than is required to cutdown the headrail itself.

Due to the nature of the thicker blind slat material in this type ofblind, this does not create a problem of requiring extra manual force.Although the head rails in this type of blind are made of roll-formedmetal channel in most cases, the cutting of such head rails is wellwithin the capacity of the apparatus, since the headrail cutting die isrequired to move only a relatively short distance, ie. a distance equalof approximately the thickness of the sheet metal material.

On the other hand, the blind slat cutting means is required to move athrough a much greater cutting path. This, however, is not a problemsince the blind slat material in this type of blind is much softer, anddoes not require so much cutting force.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

With a view to providing a more adaptable blind slat cutter machine,suitable for cutting a variety of different blinds, the inventionprovides an apparatus for trimming the width of blinds of the typehaving a plurality of components including a headrail, and a bottomrail, and a plurality of blind slats, each having a predeterminedarcuate profile, and comprising support body means, said body meansdefining a headrail opening, and a bottom rail opening, and meansdefining blind slat opening means being aligned along a horizontal axis,respective said blind components being insertable into respective saidopenings; headrail die plate means located alongside said support body aheadrail cutting recess in said die plate means for cutting saidheadrail; bottom rail and slat cutter means for cutting the bottom railand said blind slats; guide means on said support body for movablysupporting said die plate means, said guide means defining apredetermined movement axis, whereby said die plate can move relative tosaid headrail opening in said support body between two positions, afirst position in which said support body opening and said die platecutting recess are in alignment with one another, and a second positionin which said cutting recess is out of alignment with said opening,first means for moving said bottom rail and blind slat cutter means tocut said bottom rail and said blind slats, and, second means for movingsaid die plate means, between said two die plate positions.

The invention further provides such a blind slat cutter apparatuswherein said headrail opening, and said bottom rail opening in saidsupport body and said blind slat opening means, are aligned along acommon axis, and wherein said headrail cutting recess, and said bottomrail cutting recess and said blind slat cutting means are also alignedalong a common axis.

The invention further provides such a blind slat cutter apparatuswherein both said axes are coincident and are horizontal, whereby tofacilitate insertion of respective said blind components in respectivesaid openings and recesses and passages.

The invention further provides such a blind slat cutter apparatuswherein said die plate movement axis is substantially diagonal to saidaxes of said headrail and said bottom rail and blind slat openings andrespective said recesses.

The invention further provides such a blind slat cutter apparatuswherein said bottom rail and said blind slat cutter means are slidablymounted on said support body, and being movable relative to said bottomrail opening and to said blind slat opening means, whereby to cut saidblind slats, upon movement of said bottom rail and said cutting means.

The invention further provides such a blind slat cutter apparatusincluding blind slat support means defining a predetermined arcuateprofile, and mounted on said support body and wherein said blind slatcutter means has blade means defining a corresponding predeterminedprofile, whereby said blind slats are trimmed in accordance with saidpredetermined profile.

The invention further provides such a blind slat cutter apparatusincluding partition means in said blind slat opening means forseparating said blind slats into groups whereby said groups of blindslats are cut in sequence, upon movement of said blind slat cuttermeans.

The invention further provides such a blind slat cutter apparatuswherein said means for moving said die plate means comprises a manuallyoperable lever means, mounted in said support body, and transmissionmeans connecting said lever means with said die plate means fortransmitting movement of said manual lever means thereto and including ablind slat cutter rod connected to said manual lever means and operableto cause movement of said blind slat cutter means.

The invention further provides such a blind slat cutter apparatusincluding end stop means adjacent said die plate means, for engaging thefree ends of said blind components, whereby to define a predeterminedlength of cut in respect thereof, linkage plate means connected to saidend stop means and movement pin means connected to said linkage plateand responsive to movement of said blind slat cutter means, whereby tomove said end stop means free of said die plate means and free of saidbottom rail and blind slat cutter means for clearing of trim portions ofsaid blind.

The invention further provides such a blind slat cutter apparatuswherein said blind slat opening means is located between said headrailopening and said bottom rail opening in said support body whereby tofacilitate insertion of said blind components into said support body andsaid die plate means.

The invention also provides that the blind slat and bottom rail cuttermeans shall comprise a moveable cutter blade support, and a plurality ofcutter blades carried by said cutter blade support, and wherein secondmovement means is coupled to said cutter blade support, and is operableto move such cutter blade support along a predetermined cutting travelpath.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention arepointed out with more particularity in the claims annexed to and forminga part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention,its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its use,reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptivematter in which there are illustrated and described preferredembodiments of the invention.

IN THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of a blind cutting apparatusillustrating one embodiment of the invention, partially cut away;

FIG. 1A is a perspective of a typical venetian blind;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the apparatus of FIG. 1, with movementshown in phantom;

FIG. 3 is a section along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective illustration of certain components ofthe cutting apparatus, with other components removed;

FIG. 5 is a perspective illustration corresponding to FIG. 4 showing theparts assembled;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged side elevation of the portions of the apparatusshown in FIGS. 4 and 5;

FIG. 7 is a side elevation or illustration of a manual mechanism foroperating the slat cut-off apparatus;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view in schematic form of an end stop mechanism;

FIG. 9 is a side view of another slat cutting drive linkage in oneposition;

FIG. 10 is a side view corresponding to FIG. 9, in another position;

FIG. 11 is a partial side elevation of an alternate embodiment;

FIG. 12 shows a further embodiment;

FIG. 13 shows a further embodiment for vertical cutting;

FIG. 14 is a section along line 14-14 of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a schematic illustration of a further alternate embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 16 is a side elevation of a cutter for trimming a vertical blind;

FIG. 17 is a perspective illustration of a modified form of end trimdevice, for trimming blinds of a somewhat different type, usually twoinch blinds;

FIG. 18 is a side elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is an end elevation of the apparatus of FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a top plan view of the apparatus of FIGS. 18 and 19;

FIG. 21 is a section along the line 21-21 of FIG. 18;

FIG. 22 is a section along-the-line 22-22 of FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is an exploded perspective illustration showing a head railopening portion and a head rail cutter opening in a cutter bladeportion;

FIG. 24 is an exploded perspective of a main body and a cutter block;

FIG. 25 is a section along the line 25-25 of FIG. 20;

FIG. 26 is a section along the line 26-26 of FIG. 18;

FIG. 27 is a perspective illustration of a further embodiment of theinvention; and,

FIG. 28 is a side elevation of FIG. 27.

DESCRIPTION OF A SPECIFIC EMBODIMENT

Referring generally to FIG. 1, it will be seen that one embodiment ofthe invention is there illustrated in the form of a blind end trimmingapparatus indicated generally as 10 in this case being designed fortrimming venetian blinds. Typically the apparatus may be mounted on anysuitable form of work table or bench (not shown) which may function bothto support the apparatus 10 at a suitable working height, and which mayalso have suitable supports and guides for holding the venetian blinditself during cutting.

A typical venetian blind V is shown in FIG. 1A and has variouscomponents including a headrail H a bottom rail B and blind slats S.

As explained, it is desirable to provide for cutting of all three blindcomponents namely the headrail, the bottom rail, and also the blindslats themselves, all cuts being made in the same plane, preferablywithout moving the blind between cuts, so as to ensure that whentrimmed, each side edge of the blind presents a symmetrical evenappearance.

The end trimming apparatus 10 will be seen in this embodiment tocomprise a base plate 12, and a main support body 14 attached to theplate 12 in a generally upright fashion normal to the plate 12.

The main support body 14 is formed with a headrail opening 16, a bottomrail opening 18, and a plurality (two) of blind slat openings 20-20,spaced apart by a central partition 22.

The headrail opening, the blind slat openings, and the bottom railopening, are aligned side by side horizontally with one another, and arespaced in such a way that venetian blinds having a relatively wide rangeof numbers of blind slats, can readily be positioned with theirrespective headrails, blind slats, and bottom rail in the appropriateopenings.

The headrail opening 16 is of rectangular shape in this case, shaped tocorrespond with the shape of a typical headrail.

The bottom rail opening 18 is likewise shaped to receive a typicalbottom rail.

It will be appreciated that blind manufacturers use headrails and bottomrails of varying different designs and shapes, so that any onemanufacturer may wish to build an end trimming device suited for itsparticular blinds only, and not being suited to receive blinds ofcompetitors. Similarly, if such a manufacturer produces blinds havingvarious headrails, bottom rails, and blind slats of various differentdimensions and or shapes and profiles, then the manufacturer will supplyto its retail outlet a variety of different end trimming apparatus, sothat each retailer can trim a range of different venetian blind designssupplied by that manufacturer.

While the apparatus shown and described so far will suit only one shapeof headrail, bottom rail, and blind slat, it is conceivable that suchapparatus could be made with interchangeable recesses, and dies andcutters so that it could be adapted to trim the ends of variety ofdifferent venetian blind designs, simply by interchanging certaincomponents.

This however is not illustrated herein, and it is believed that it willbe obvious to persons skilled in the art as to how this could beachieved.

As explained, the headrail opening, the slat openings, and the bottomrail opening are arranged spaced apart horizontally so that a completeblind consisting of headrail, slats, and bottom rail, may be receivedwith their components in their respective openings. The blind slats canbe arranged in bundles and slid through into the two openings provided,in whatever arrangement is most suitable for that particular blind.

As mentioned the entire trimming apparatus 10 is advantageously mountedon a bench, (not shown) with clear space to one side of the main supportbody member 14, so that the rest of the blind can be supported duringtrimming. This supporting function may be provided in some cases by oneor more rails with guides, but can also simply be provided by a bench ortable, at a suitable height.

Headrail and Bottom Rail Trimming

The apparatus for trimming the headrail and the bottom rail consists ofa die plate 30, which is slidably mounted on one side of the mainsupport body 14 by means of lower guide 32 and upper guide 34.

The two guides are parallel to one another, and are spaced apart andextend along parallel diagonal axes at about 45°. The die plate 30 isthus slidable within the guide rails along a diagonal upward anddownward movement path. Other movement paths such as arcuate, verticalor otherwise would also serve the purpose. In order to avoid any cuttingof the blind slats, by means of the die plate 30, a central rectangularclearance opening 36 is provided in the die plate, registering with theslat openings 20 in the main body 14.

In order to cut the headrail, a headrail cutting recess 38 is providedin die plate 30. When the die plate is in one position, the cuttingrecess 38 is adapted to register with the headrail opening 16 in thesupport body 14.

When the die plate 30 is moved into the other position, a cutting actiontakes place, and the opening and the recess are out of registration withone another.

The bottom rail cutting is effected by means of a bottom rail cuttingrecess 40 formed in die plate 30, and adapted to register with thebottom rail opening 18 in support body 14 in one position, and to be outof registration in another position.

Thus movement of the die plate 30 between one position and anotherposition, once the headrail and the bottom rail have been inserted intorespective openings and recesses, will produce cutting or trimming ofthe ends of both the headrail and the bottom rail which may besimultaneous, or almost at the same time, or in sequence depending uponthe design (see below), and in the same plane.

At this point it should be noted that the orientation of the headrailopenings and the bottom rail openings both in the main body 14 and thedie plate 30 are such that the headrail and bottom rail aresubstantially lying on edge, in planes parallel to one another butspaced apart, with the blind slats between them.

It will however be observed that in this embodiment the direction of thecutting angle is diagonal to the position in which the headrail and thebottom rail are lying. In this way, the cutting action of the die plate,when it commences movement, takes place initially by applying cuttingpressure to one corner of each of the headrail and the bottom rail, andcutting is thus progressive through the two components in a diagonalmanner while the two components are held fixed substantially on edge.Other cutting configurations can be used as will be explained below.

This feature advantageously reduces the total force that must be appliedto achieve cutting, and so permits the cutting operation to be performedby manual means. Of course it is possible that the entire operation canbe power operated as will become apparent below, although it is believedthat this would unnecessarily increase the cost of the apparatus.

For example, cutting of the two components could take place in sequence.The bottom rail die recess 40 could be slightly oversized as at 40A inFIG. 11, so that cutting of the bottom rail would take place just aftercutting of the head rail, to further reduce manual effort.

In order to apply manual cutting force to the die plate 30, the dieplate 30 is formed with a rectangular recess 42 having a bottom edge 44,normal to the diagonal axis of the die plate, and two side edges 46-46.A top closure bar 48 closes off the rectangular recess 42 for reasons tobe described below.

In order to move the die plate 30, a driver mechanism is provided whichin this embodiment comprises, a rotary cam member 50 is provided, whichis adapted to engage the bottom edge 44 of the recess 42, for movementof plate 30 in one direction, and closure bar 48 closing the recess 42,for movement in the other direction.

The two side edges 46 do not contact the rotary cam, but define clearspaces on either side to permit arcuate movement of cam 50.

The cam 50 is itself mounted eccentrically on a drive hub 52, which isrotatably mounted in the main body 14. Drive hub 52 extends outwardlyfrom the main body 14 (FIG. 1), and is provided with a manual operatinglever 54.

The rotary axis of the cam 50 is offset relative to the rotary axis ofthe drive hub 52. Thus when the drive hub 52 is rotated by manuallypulling the lever 54 in the direction indicated by the arrow A, the cam50 will be forced against the lower edge 44 of the rectangular recess 42in the die plate 30. This will force the die plate 30 to move on adownward diagonal axis, thereby cutting both the headrail H and thebottom rail B of the blind. Releasing the handle 54 permits a spring(not shown) to return the handle and rotate the drive hub in theopposite direction, and this will cause the rotary cam to engage theclosure bar 48 and cause upward diagonal movement of the die plate 30.

Trimming of Blind Slats

The trimming of the blind slats S is carried out in this embodiment as aseparate function from the trimming of the headrail and the bottom rail.

For this purpose in this embodiment, a blade mounting frame 60 isslidably mounted on main body 14, between main body 14 and the die plate30. Main body 14 is formed with two guide grooves 62, and the blademounting frame 60 is supplied with two guide bars 64, sliding in thegrooves 62. This arrangement is for purposes of illustration only.

The blade mounting frame 60 is of rectangular shape and defines aninterior space 66. At one end (right hand end of FIGS. 4 and 5) a blade68 is mounted on the frame 60. The blade is a generally curved shape inend section, so as to provide a generally bevelled trim shape to theends of the blind slats S. However, the blade 68 can have any shapedesired for a particular slat design.

Generally curved blind slat supports 70 and 72 are provided on main body14, and on partition 22 respectively. In this way, movement of the blade68 will shear the ends of the slats S, against the support of thearcuate slat supports 70 and 72, thereby providing a clean cut on eachslat end. The centre portion of the blade 68 moves in the same plane asthe interior surface of the die plate 30. In this way the ends of allthe blind components are trimmed in an even and symmetrical manner.

In order to move the blade support frame 60 to and fro, a drivermechanism is provided which in this embodiment comprises, a connectingrod 74 is secured to the free end (left hand in FIGS. 4 and 5), of frame60.

Connecting rod 74 may be powered by any suitable means. Preferably, inaccordance with this preferred embodiment of the invention, theconnecting rod 74 will be powered manually. For this purpose connectingrod 74 is connected through a support block 76 to a rack 78 (FIG. 7),and a drive gear 80. Drive gear 80 is connected to a manually operablelever 82 and moves to and fro in slots 81. Swinging of the lever 82 inthe direction of the arrow B will cause the connecting rod 74 to drivethe blade mounting frame 60 to the right (FIG. 7) and reverse movementwill cause reverse movement of the mounting frame 60.

In this way the slat ends may be trimmed in a single manual movement. Itwill of course be appreciated that the rack and pinion manual operationmay be replaced by any other manual linkage or arrangement or by anysuitable power operated means such as a power cylinder or the like.However such substitutions are deemed relatively straightforward forpersons skilled in the art.

While in this embodiment the blind slat cutting assembly is incorporatedin the trimming apparatus 10, it will also be appreciated that the blindslat openings 20 and supports 70 and 72 could be mad separately andcould form part of a separate apparatus, with the frame 60 and blade 68associated with them, so as to be separate from body 14 and fromopenings 16 and 18, and die plate 30.

End Stop Assembly

In order to assist in the use of the apparatus and ensure that thecorrect amount is trimmed off each end of each blind, an adjustable endstop assembly 90 is provided as shown in FIG. 8. This will be seen tocomprise a stop arm 92, mounted on a slide bar 94. The slide bar 94 isslidable in a slide block 96, mounted on device 10.

An adjustable fastening screw 98 is provided on arm 92, and suitableindicia may be provided along the bar 94 so that arm may be adjusted tothe correct position.

The slide bar 94 is slidable within block 96. It is operated by means ofa curved linkage bar assembly 100. One end of the linkage bar assemblyis secured to an axle rod 102 extending from drive hub 52.

A particular length of trim may be selected and the stop arm 92 may bemoved to that length and secured by fastening screw 98.

The linkage bar 100 extends through opening 104 in bar 94, so that whenbar 100 moves downwardly, bar 94 is driven to the left (FIG. 8), andvice versa.

In operation, when a trim cut has been commenced at one end of theblind, the linkage bar 100 moves down through opening 104, therebymoving the stop arm 92 away from the die plate 30. The loose ends or cutoff ends of the blind may then be removed, after which the arm 54 may bereturned once more bringing the stop arm 92 into the stop position.

In certain cases, it may be found that the thickness of the die plate 30is greater than the length of the trim portion which is desired to cutoff from one end of the blind. To overcome this problem, the die platemay be provided with slotted recesses 110 and 112 (FIG. 2), extendingmore or less horizontally and aligned with one another, from theheadrail cut off recess 38 and the bottom rail cut off recess 40.

The end stop arm in this case may be made sufficiently thin as at 114that it will fit within the slots 110 and 112 and thus extend completelyacross the die plate 30 from the headrail cut off recess 38 to thebottom rail cut off recess 40. This will then permit the operator to setthe stop arm 92 at the appropriate position, to provide an end trim ofthe blind, having a length which is shorter than the thickness of thedie plate itself.

As also illustrated in FIGS. 8, and 9 and 10, it is possible to providefor operation of the blind slat cutting blade, in synchronism with theoperation of the die plate for cutting the headrail and bottom rail.This may be achieved, by means of connecting the drive shaft 74 drivingthe blade assembly, by means of a cross bolt 120, to a lost motionlinkage 122. Lost motion linkage 122 has a slotted opening 124 toreceive bolt 120, thereby allowing the linkage 122 to move apredetermined distance, before it engages bolt 120.

The other end of linkage 122 is connected (FIGS. 9 and 10) to aconnecting link 126. Connecting link 126 is connected within a slottedrecess 128 in drive hub 52.

In this way when the arm 54 is swung toward the operator to rotate drivehub 52, so as to cut the headrail and bottom rail, a predetermineddistance, swinging of the arm 54 a further distance will cause movementof the bolt 120, and connecting rod 74 thereby causing movement of theblade assembly for shearing the ends of the blind slats.

In this way a single manual movement can provide for cutting of allthree components of a blind.

As explained on Page 12 it may be desirable to provide that cutting ofthe headrail takes place first, and the bottom rail is cut in sequence.This can also be achieved as shown in FIG. 12. The die plate 30 can havea separate portion 30A, and lost motion links 130 connect it with dieplate 30. This would achieve cutting of the two components in sequence.

Cutting of the headrail and bottom rail may take place in variousorientations and directions. The FIG. 1 embodiment illustrates adiagonal cutting orientation.

However cutting could equally well take place in various otherorientations. FIG. 13 for example illustrates cutting in a verticalorientation. In this case a main body 140 having headrail and bottomrail openings 142 and 144 as provided, similar to FIG. 1 embodiment. Atransverse blind-slat cutting assembly 146 generally similar to the FIG.1 embodiment is also provided. However in order to shear the headrailand bottom rail, a vertical shear member 148 is provided, mounted in atransverse guide plate 150. A drive cam 152 is mounted to a rotatabledrive hub (not shown) and drives the shear 148 in manner similar to thedie cutting plate of FIG. 1. In this case, however the movement isvertically, downwardly, and upwardly.

Plate 150 would have an opening 151 to receive the ends of the blindcomponents.

A headrail shear blade 154 is provided is provided on one side of theshear member 148 and a bottom rail shear blade 156 is provided on theother side registering with the respective headrail and bottom railopenings 142 and 144. Between the two shear blades there is arectangular clearance space 158, the purposes of which is to fit aroundeither side of the blind slat portion S, extending through the main body140.

It will also be seen that in this embodiment, by the operation of thecam 152 the entire shear member 148 will be driven downwardly. This willcause the two shear blades 154 and 156 to cut the headrail and thebottom rail. After this, the shear member 148 will be raised upwardly,and cutting of the blind slats S can then proceed in the manner alreadydescribed above.

It will of course be appreciated that the illustration of two cuttingorientations namely diagonal, and vertical, is merely for the sake ofillustration and without limitation to the scope of the invention. Theinvention is deemed to comprehend all such cutting orientations as mayproduce the desired result.

As illustrated in FIG. 15, the invention may also be carried out usingtwo separate manual controls, for cutting various of the blindcomponents separately by separate manual operations.

In this case, a base plate 170 is shown fitted with a blind componentholder member 172. Holder member 172 has a generally rectangular slottedopening 174 to receive the headrail of the blind, and a generallyC-shaped opening 176 to receive the bottom rail of the blind. A cuttingdie plate 178 may be provided, in this case of a similar design to thatillustrated in the FIG. 1 embodiment. It will also have suitable cuttingopenings (not shown) registering with the headrail opening 174 and thebottom rail opening 176, for cutting the headrail and the bottom rail.It may be operated by a cam 180 and an arm 182.

In this way, the headrail and the bottom rail of the blind may be cuteither simultaneously or in sequence (as described above) by operationof the manual arm 172.

The blind slats in this embodiment would be supported in the blind slatopenings 184,186, separated by the supporting partition 190. Thisenables the blind slats to be arranged in the two openings 184,186, sothat they will not all be bunched while they are being cut, but may begrouped in separate bundles, for reasons described above.

A cutting blade 192, for cutting the blind slats, would be operated bymeans of rods 194 and 196, and wheel 198 and handle 200.

In this way, the cutting of the headrail and the bottom rail is achievedby one manual operation, and the cutting of the blind slats is achievedby another manual operation.

In some circumstances it is also desirable to be able to trim the widthof a vertical blind. Typical vertical blinds have a headrail withcontrol rods extending the length of the headrail. Runners within theheadrail support a plurality of vertical slats in known manner.

In some cases at a point of sale a customer may require that thevertical blind be trimmed as to width.

This can be achieved by the modification shown in FIG. 16.

In this case the support body 202 is formed with a further generallyU-shaped recess 204 which is shaped to receive the headrail of avertical blind. Head rail and control rod holes 206-206 are formed sideby side, within the space enclosed by the headrail recess 204. Thecutting die plate 208, located on the other side of body 202, isprovided with a matching cutting opening (not shown) and cutting holes(not shown) for cutting the vertical blind headrail rods and controlrods.

Depending on the length of the headrail that is cut off, one or morerunners and vertical blind slats (not shown) will also be removed bysimply sliding them out of the open end of the headrail.

The above-noted apparatus is satisfactory for cutting blinds typicallyhaving a blind slat width of around one inch or so, and also fortrimming vertical slat blinds.

However, there also exist blinds of a somewhat different type havingslats of a greater width, typically in the region two inches. Blinds ofthis type may be fabricated of somewhat different material and may beshaped somewhat differently. In particular the bottom slat or rail maybe of solid material and formed with flat planar sides.

Thus while the modified form of two inch blind may have an appearancegenerally similar to that shown in FIG. 1A, the bottom rail B is a solidmember, typically formed of extruded thermo plastic material or thelike, and the blind slats themselves may well typically be formed ofthin metallic-strip material similar to the one inch blinds but simplywider. The top rail is again of typically rectangular channel shape insection but will typically be approximately two inches wide rather thanone inch wide as in the case of the smaller blinds.

When cutting this type of modified blind therefore because the bottomrail B is made of a somewhat softer material, and has simply a flatplanar section (FIG. 18) it is possible to perform the cutting operationof the bottom rail B more or less simultaneously with the cutting of theblind slats themselves.

Referring now to FIGS. 17 and 18 this modified embodiment of theinvention will be seen to comprise a main body plate 220, mounting on asuitable base to 222.

The main body 220 is provided with a bottom rail recess 224, two blindslat recesses 226-228, and a head rail recess 230 (FIG. 24).

The main body 220 is further provided with a pair of generallyhorizontal spaced apart guide rails 232 and 234, and a pair of generallydiagonally guide rails 236 and 238. The main body 220 is also providedwith a bearing body 240 with a bearing recess 242 therein.

There are two cutting blade blocks, namely a first cutting blade block244 (FIGS. 18 and 24) and a second diagonal cutting blade block 246.First cutting blade block 244 has an upstanding attachment lug 248 forreasons described below. First cutting blade block 244 further has abottom rail cutting recess 250, and a first blind slat cutting recess252. There are three cutting blades mounting on first cutting block 244namely a bottom rail cutting blade 254, a first blind slat cutting blade256 and a second blind slat cutting blade 258.

The blades 254, 256 and 258 register respectively with the edges ofopenings 224, 226 and 228, in main body 220 (FIGS. 18 and 24).

In order to cut the head rail of a blind, the diagonal cutting block 246is formed with a head rail cutting die 260, which is adapted in oneposition to register with the head rail opening recess 230 in the mainbody 220.

The recesses 224, 226, 228 and 230 in the main body 220 are all alignedalong a common horizontal axis, so that the blind components namely thebottom rail, the bundles of slats, and the head rail can be slid intothe respective recesses simultaneously, without disturbing thearrangement of the blind itself.

Similarly the recesses in the blade block 244 namely 250, 252 and theblades 254, 256, and 258 all register with respective openings 224, 226and 228.

The head rail cutting die 260 registers with the head rail recess 230,and again the blades and cutting die are all aligned along a horizontalaxis.

In order to move the blade block 244, and also to move the die block246, a drive shaft 262 is rotatably mounted in bearing recess 242 inbearing body 240. Shaft 262 is connected to a manual operating lever264, by means of which shaft 262 may be rotated to and fro.

A stub shaft 266 extends from shaft 262 along an eccentric axis. Stubshaft 266 engages in bearing 268, which is in turn received in a driverecess 270 in blade block 246.

In this way, rotation of shaft 262 by lever 268 will cause the eccentricstub shaft 266 to apply a diagonal movement to blade block 246. It willbe noted that the diagonal location of the stub shaft 266 relative tothe drive shaft 262 causes a very substantial mechanical advantage asbetween the operation of the lever 264 and the shaft 262, so as toprovide adequate cutting force, to move the cutting die 260 (FIG. 23)relative to the headrail recess 224, and produce a clean shearingaction.

In order to move blade block 244, connecting rod 272 is connectedbetween lug 248, and lever 262. Thus rotational swinging movement ofmanual lever 264 will cause rod 272 to move the entire blade block 244,thereby shearing the bottom rail, and the blind slats progressively asthe blade block 244 moves along its linear horizontal axis.

In order to provide an end stop for the bottom rail, blind slats, andheadrail, so that the length being cut off can be preset by adjustingthe end stop and setting it to a predetermined position, an end stop isprovided generally as shown in FIGS. 17, 25 and 26.

The actual end stop consists of a generally Z-shaped plate member 274,having an upper stop portion 276 adapted to register with the variousblades and cutting recesses along the predetermined horizontal axisreferred to, and having a lower adjustment portion 278, which isslidably mounted on a pair of bearing sleeves 280 slidably mounted onparallel slide bars 282.

A hand-operated screw lock 284 permits the end stop 274 to be adjustedto and fro along the bearing sleeves 280. It will be appreciated fromFIGS. 17 and 18, that there is a mounting body 286 extending between thetwo sleeves 280, and having an adjustable fastening groove 288 forreceiving a nut (not shown) connected to screw 284. Shafts 282 aremounted on any suitable base frame and legs indicated generally as 290.

In this way, the end stop plate 276 can be adjusted towards or away fromthe main body 220 and blade blocks 244 and 246, and will effectivelystop the insertion of the blind components namely the bottom rail, theblind slats, and the headrail, beyond the point where they contact thestop 276.

The position of the stop 276 can be adjusted by operating the screw 284and sliding the entire plate 278 to and fro.

It will of course be appreciated that once the actual cuts have takenplace, that it is desirable to have the end stop 276 moved away so thatthe cutoff portions can readily be cleared away.

This movement is achieved by means of a guide plate 292 connected to theunderneath of body 286, and extending outwardly to one side thereof.Plate 292 is provided with a diagonal linear slot 294. A control pin 296extends through slot 294, pin 296 being mounted in blade block 244,whereby movement of blade block 244 will move the pin 296, along thediagonal slot 244 thereby causing movement of the plate 292 andassociated body 286 away from the blade blocks 244 and 246.

It will thus be seen that in this embodiment of the invention, cuttingof the bottom rail and blind slats will take place as a result ofmovement of the cutting block 244 and its associated blades 254, 256 and258, and cutting or shearing of the headrail will take place as a resultof the diagonal movement of the block 246, and the shearing actionbetween the headrail opening 224 in the main body 220, and the headrailcutting die 260 in the diagonal cutting block 246.

The operation of the end stop and its movement to and fro isself-explanatory from the above description.

According to a further embodiment as illustrated in FIGS. 27 and 28, amodified form of end trimming device is illustrated generally as 300. Ithas a main body 302, and a first horizontal cutting block 304, and asecond diagonal cutting block 306.

These two cutting blocks are provided with the usual openings indicatedas 308, 310 and 312 for cutting respectively, the bottom rail, thebundles of blind slats and the head rail.

In order to reduce the loading on the manual cutter mechanism, in thisembodiment of the invention, there are two manual mechanisms. The firstmanual cutter mechanism comprises the shaft and block 314 operated by afirst arm 316. An offset crank pin 318 connects a linkage 320 to anupright post 322 for moving block 304.

This mechanism is not connected in any way to the diagonal block 306.

The diagonal block 306 is however moved by an eccentric rotary cam 323,which is received in opening 324 in block 306. The cam 323 is operatedby a shaft (not shown) which is in turn operated by a manual lever 326.

Thus in this mechanism, the bottom slat and the bundles of blind slatsand the headrail are all placed in their respective openings. The firstlever 316 is then operated to cut the bottom rail and the bundles ofblind slats by moving the block 304 horizontally.

When that has been completed, then the second lever 326 is operated, soas to move the diagonal block 306 thereby cutting the headrail.

It will of course be appreciated that this device will usually beprovided with suitable end stops of the type shown in FIGS. 19, 20, 25and 26.

The operation of the cam 324 will be similar to that illustrated in FIG.22.

The foregoing is a description of a preferred embodiment of theinvention which is given here by way of example only. The invention isnot to be taken as limited to any of the specific features as described,but comprehends all such variations thereof as come within the scope ofthe appended claims.

1. A blind cut-down apparatus for trimming the length of slats of ablind having at least a head rail, blind slat components and bottom railsuspended from the head rail, and comprising; a blind holding platehaving a head rail opening for holding a head rail component and abottom rail opening for holding a bottom rail component; a first blindslat opening for holding a first group of blind slat components, andholding said first group of blind slat components in position forcutting; a second blind slat opening, spaced from said first blind slatopening, for holding a second group of blind slat components separatefrom said first group, and holding said second group of blind slatcomponents in position for cutting; a blind slat group separator betweensaid first and second slat openings for holding said first and secondslat groups apart from one another; at least one clamp for clamping atleast one of said first or second blind slat components in position insaid first and second blind slat openings, for cutting; a first cuttermoveable relative to said blind holding plate in a first direction, forcutting said head rail, said first cutter including an opening havingsubstantially the same contour as said head rail; a second cuttermoveable relative to said blind holding plate in the first direction forcutting said bottom rail; and a movement transmission for moving saidfirst cutter.
 2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising:a drive shaft defining an axis; a cam rotatably mounted eccentrically onsaid drive shaft by a predetermined first arc radius, wherein rotationof said drive shaft causes rotation of said cam along said first arcradius, which causes movement of said first cutter for cutting saidheadrail.
 3. An apparatus for trimming a blind having a head rail, abottom rail, and a plurality of blind slats, said apparatus beingadapted to trim the length of said head rail, said bottom rail and saidplurality of blind slats, and comprising: a support body defining a headrail opening having substantially the same contour as said head rail,bottom rail opening, a first blind slat opening, and a second blind slatopening; a first cutter positioned proximate said head rail opening andbottom rail opening for cutting a predetermined amount of material fromsaid head rail and said bottom rail, said first cutter including anopening having substantially the same contour as said head rail; arotatable cam having an outer surface adapted to move said first cutterrelative to said head rail opening upon rotation of said cam; and acrank rotatably connected to said cam, whereby rotation of said crankcauses said cam to rotate and to urge said first cutter to move relativeto said head rail opening.
 4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3,wherein said cam moves said first cutter through direct contact withsaid first cutter.
 5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4, furthercomprising a slat cutter positioned proximate said first and secondblind slat openings and adapted to cut the same predetermined amount ofmaterial from said plurality of blind slats extending through said firstand second blind slat openings.
 6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5,further comprising a lost motion mechanism linking said first cutter andsaid slat cutter so that cutters begin moving at different times inresponse to said crank.
 7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 6, whereinsaid first cutter begins moving prior to said slat cutter.
 8. Anapparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said headrail opening and saidfirst and second blind slat openings are aligned along a commonhorizontal axis.
 9. An apparatus for trimming blinds of a type having atleast a head rail and bottom rail, said apparatus being adapted to trimthe length of said head rail and bottom rail, comprising: a support bodydefining an opening for said head rail, an opening for said bottom rail,a first opening for blind slats, and a second opening for blind slats; afirst cutter moveable in a first direction and positioned proximate saidopening for said head rail to cut a predetermined amount of materialfrom said head rail; a second cutter moveable in the first direction andpositioned proximate said opening for said bottom rail to cut apredetermined amount of material from said bottom rail; a rotatable camhaving an outer surface adapted to move said first and second cuttersrelative to said openings upon rotation of said cam; and a crankrotatably connected to said cam, whereby rotation of said crank causessaid cam to rotate and to urge said cutter to move relative to saidopening wherein said first cutter comprises a die plate including anopening having substantially the same contour as said head rail, andwherein said second cutter comprises said die plate including an openinghaving substantially the same contour as said bottom rail.
 10. Anapparatus for trimming blinds of a type having at least a head rail andbottom rail, said apparatus being adapted to trim the length of saidhead rail and bottom rail, comprising: a support body defining anopening for said head rail, an opening for said bottom rail, a firstopening for blind slats, and a second opening for blind slats; a firstcutter moveable in a first direction and positioned proximate saidopening for said head rail to cut a predetermined amount of materialfrom said head rail; a second cutter moveable in the first direction andpositioned proximate said opening for said bottom rail to cut apredetermined amount of material from said bottom rail; a rotatable camhaving an outer surface adapted to move said first and second cuttersrelative to said openings upon rotation of said cam; and a crankrotatably connected to said cam, whereby rotation of said crank causessaid cam to rotate and to urge said cutter to move relative to saidopening, wherein said first cutter comprises a die plate including anopening having substantially the same contour as said head rail, andwherein said second cutter comprises said die plate including an openinghaving substantially the same contour as said bottom rail, wherein saidfirst cutter is movable between a first position in which said die plateopening is in registration with said support body head rail opening anda second position in which said die plate opening is out of registrationwith said support body head rail opening, and wherein said second cutteris movable between a first position in which said die plate opening isin registration with said support body bottom rail opening and a secondposition in which said die plate opening is out of registration withsaid support body bottom rail opening.
 11. An apparatus for trimming ablind having a head rail, a bottom rail and a plurality of blind slats,said apparatus being adapted to trim the length of said head rail, saidbottom rail and said plurality of blind slats and comprising: a supportbody defining a head rail opening having substantially the same contouras said head rail of the blind, a first blind slat opening, and a secondblind slat opening; a bottom rail opening in said support body for saidbottom rail; a first cutter moveable in a first direction and having afurther aligned cutter opening having substantially the same contour assaid head rail, said further aligned cutter opening being positionedproximate said head rail opening, said first cutter for cutting apredetermined amount of material from said head rail; a bottom railcutter moveable in the first direction and positioned proximate saidbottom rail opening to cut the same predetermined amount of materialfrom said bottom rail extending through said bottom rail opening; arotatable cam having a cam surface adapted to move said first cutterrelative to said head rail opening upon rotation of said cam; and acrank rotatably connected to said cam, whereby rotation of said crankcauses said cam to rotate and to urge said first cutter to move relativeto said head rail opening.
 12. An apparatus as claimed in claim 11,wherein said cam moves said first cutter through direct contact withsaid first cutter.
 13. An apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein saidhead rail opening and said bottom rail opening are aligned along acommon horizontal axis.
 14. An apparatus for trimming blinds having atleast a head rail, a bottom rail, and a plurality of blind slats,comprising: a support body having at least a headrail opening havingsubstantially a same contour as said head rail, a first and secondopening adapted to receive the plurality of blind slats, and a bottomrail opening, and having a plurality of substantially parallellongitudinally extending grooves; a blade mounting frame forlongitudinally sliding in a first direction within said grooves andcomprising a first cutting blade to cut said head rail when said firstcutting blade passes said headrail opening, and wherein said firstcutting blade cuts said plurality of blind slats when said first cuttingblade passes said opening; a second cutting blade including an openinghaving substantially the same contour as said bottom rail and moveablein the first direction to cut said bottom rail; and a drive mechanismfor longitudinally moving said blade mounting frame within said grooves,said drive mechanism including a rack and a pinion engaged with saidrack.
 15. An apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein said drivemechanism further comprises a connecting rod connecting said pinion tosaid blade mounting frame.